Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clifton than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #66 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1989.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Clifton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clifton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Clifton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton, and Clifton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #66 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clifton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Clifton has less expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Clifton: $552K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $9K
Clifton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bosque County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifton
Disasters that paid out in Clifton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clifton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$108K to the City of Clifton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms32 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$296K to the City of Clifton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$26K to the City of Clifton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$330K to the City of Clifton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Bosque County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bosque County, 2011–2026.
Old photos of Clifton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton archive →Get ready for what Clifton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clifton
Is Clifton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #66 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clifton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Clifton since 1989, $191K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Clifton in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bosque County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clifton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Clifton?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): $330K to the City of Clifton for repairs. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Clifton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Clifton’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.